Bengaluru: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been conducting raids at Amnesty International’s office in Bengaluru since 2 pm on Thursday.
The searches at Amnesty International’s office are being conducted for violation of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) guidelines.
The ED said in a statement, “After Amnesty international India Foundation Trust was denied the permission/registration under FCRA, 2010 by [Ministry of Home Affairs], they resorted to bypass the FCRA Act by floating commercial entity in the name of Amnesty International India Pvt Ltd. This entity has received foreign funds through commercial route to the extent of Rs. 36 crore till date.”
“Out of the total amount of Rs. 36 crore, Rs. 10 crores was received as long-term loans. This amount was immediately placed in FDs and another Indian entity; Indians for Amnesty International Trust (IAIT) had established an overdraft facility for Rs. 14.25 crore keeping the said Rs. 10 crore FD as collateral which means the receipt of FDI by trust only. The remaining Rs. 26 crore was received in two other bank accounts of AIIPL as ‘consultancy services.’ The inwards remittances received by the AIIPL from overseas are in violation of FDI guidelines. In this background, searches are conducted at their Bengaluru office today,” it added.
Further details are awaited.
[source_without_link]ANI[/source_without_link]